Director, Clinical Trial Liaison

The Director, Clinical Trial Liaison (CTL) will serve as a value-added resource to sites and investigators to support Kezar’s clinical development programs. The CTL will be responsible for building and managing relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), clinical trial investigators, and research staff to ensure full engagement throughout the course of the study. They will also work to build relationships, where appropriate, with patient groups, scientific organizations, and advocacy organizations.

The primary focus for the CTL role will be to enhance clinical trial execution and enrollment through building deep relationships with study investigators and research staff. The CTL will work with the clinical investigators and site staff to provide disease area education; support enrollment and retention initiatives; identify, mitigate, and provide solutions to enrollment hurdles; disseminate product and trial-related information; represent company interests; and obtain scientific intelligence. The CTL will be responsible for liaising with sites across the United States and internationally.

The CTL will have a strong clinical research background and be able to understand protocols, study conduct, and drug development. A background in autoimmune diseases is strongly desired but is not a requirement. Specific research or liaison experience with lupus nephritis, inflammatory myopathies, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, or immune thrombocytopenia a plus. Additional experience in hematology and oncology is a plus. They should understand Good Clinical Practice and regulatory requirements regarding drug development.

Kezar is focused on small-molecule drug discovery and development to target immune-mediated diseases and cancer. Kezar’s lead product candidate, zetomipzomib, is being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of lupus nephritis and autoimmune hepatitis. Kezar is also conducting an oncology clinical trial of KZR-261, the first candidate from its novel platform targeting the protein secretion pathway. This research platform has the potential to generate additional small molecule compounds with therapeutic potential in cancer and inflammation.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Build and cultivate relationships with disease area experts (KOLs), clinical investigators, and research staff.
• Work cross functionally within Kezar and with sites, investigators, and KOLs to facilitate the conduct and successful completion of clinical trials.
• Proactively recognize issues and barriers to enrollment and work to develop solutions.
• Identify and address concerns from sites regarding clinical trial participation.
• Serve as an educational resource (as needed) on Kezar’s clinical trials, therapeutic areas, Kezar’s investigational product(s), and research rationale.
• Maintain expertise in disease management, emerging therapies, and the competitive landscape.
• Attend relevant regional, national, and international meetings in the relevant therapeutic area(s), gathering information on developments in the therapeutic area and representing Kezar.
• Engage in peer-to peer discussions with investigators and researchers about trial progress, data, and results.

Not sure if you are qualified for this position? We know that skills and experience can show up in different ways and we welcome resumes from a broad range of applicants. You are encouraged to apply even if you do not meet each of the listed preferred qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree (PharmD, PhD, MD, DO, NP, PA, or other associated health care provider) combined with significant experience working in clinical research, at a site or in the biotech/pharma industry. Experience as a medical science liaison is a plus.
• Ability to manage a geographically assigned territory from a home-based office
• Able to travel at least 70%, including international travel
• Valid driver’s license/passport
• Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to start and build deep and lasting relationships with key stakeholders
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including dissemination of scientific and medical data to a diverse audience of both internal and external personnel in small and large audience settings
• Highly motivated with high energy level, self-starter
• Ability to work independently and adjust effectively to work within a rapidly changing, highly regulated environment
• Passion for teamwork; proven performance in cross functional team environments
• Strategic thinker
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to take strategic initiatives and translate them into tactical solutions
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